The Art of Stamps

The Art of Stamps explored the artistry of the humble postage stamp and its unique history within the Cayman Islands. As one of the most widely circulated utilitarian objects, stamps provide a social and historical record of a community and its evolution over time, telling the story of a society’s development through the key moments and milestones which stamps serve to commemorate. This exhibition surveyed the rich subject matter found in the stamps produced by the Cayman Islands Post Office over the preceding few decades, which collectively illustrated an informative cross-section of Caymanian life, art, culture, and heritage. The works on display included Post Office memorabilia together with literature on the collecting of stamps (philately) and Cayman postal history, alongside original artworks created for the Post Office by local artists, illustrators, and photographers. The Art of Stamps was a collaboration between the National Gallery, the Post Office, the Cayman Islands National Archives, and the Cayman Islands National Museum, and was on view from 12 January-25 April 2006. The exhibition was curated by Ivan Burges and David Bridgeman.